Speculation about who will replace Leonard, the only elected official in city government who lives east of 82nd Avenue, begins today. Names that have been raised for a seat on the council include former U.S. Senate candidate Steve Novick, though he declined Monday to say whether he plans to run; Oregon Rep. Mary Nolan; and Shelli Romero, a public policy coordinator for the Oregon Department of Transportation.

State Rep. Ben Cannon announced Monday that he won't run for the seat.

What are you looking for in a new member of the City Council? What sort of candidate will you support? Are you ready to name names yourself? Who would you like to see on the City Council?

"...the only elected official in city government who lives east of 82nd Avenue..." As an East Portlander, I think this is pathetic. 28% of the city's population lives east of 82nd. Almost half of Portland's school children live east of 82nd. We have the highest rate of kids receiving free or reduced priced lunch. Losing the only city government official who lives east of 82nd is very bad news for East Portland. I beg whoever decides to run for his seat to please keep these issues of fairness & equity - for all of Portland - at the forefront of his or her campaign.

As a resident of Wilkes in outer East Portland, I also lament the fact that Leonard's replacement will likely be an inner core resident who can't see past Mt. Tabor.

Under the current Portland charter, the entire city council could live together in a one-bedroom loft in the Pearl, though the city limits reach past Powell Butte.

It's very frustrating to remind the city council there are other school districts in the city besides PPS (Parkrose, Centennial, David Douglas, Reynolds).

The charter needs to change to elect four commissioners by district (like MultCo commissioners) with the mayor elected at large. There's a reason state legislators are not elected state-wide. Portland's city council needs to reflect the geographical, as well as socio-economic differences of Portlanders annexed under Resolution A more than 25 years ago.

To Republicans in Congress and in state capitals across the country: It's time to refuse the NRA's support and their money. And donations received in the past should be donated to organizations supporting the survivors of gun violence.